By Sharon Ray
We are in the month of Scorpio, so it is an auspicious time to study and more deeply embody the virtue of courage. Courage has many sources. A new source of courage has come to me recently. It began with a look…
I watched the trailer to the movie, “Awake”, on the life of Paramahansa Yogananda. I have been waiting for years for someone to make a movie about the life of this great Teacher, and now has happened and I can’t wait to see it. Through the image on my computer screen I looked into the eyes of Yogananda, or rather, he looked into mine, and I saw in them something I didn’t have. There was this intensity of focus. I imitated that look of his, putting it into my eyes, and I realized: he was totally awake. And totally courageous. What did this mean? What was the difference between his consciousness and mine?
Generally, my mind is in neutral. My will says, “We are driving to the store now. Here we go,” and my body goes along for the ride, basically unaware. My mind goes along too. On the way it wanders everywhere. That is what I would call being in neutral gear.
The awake state is much different. The gear switches into forward drive. My will says, “We are driving to the store now. Here we go,” and my mind says, “Okay, I’m driving to the store,” my body says, “I’m going to the store,” and all along the way to the store my will, my mind, and my body are in alignment. They are all doing the same thing. This is not just living in the present moment, a worthy goal in itself, but in the awake state there is a very special ingredient: there is a force of intention and purpose. Instead of going to the store like a sleeping woman can be carried across the river in a boat, I am going to the store with intention, and with my will, my mind, and my body in alignment behind this intention.
Here’s the result of this practice: my entire body is energized, my mind is clear, and there is a power that begins to run in me. I’m awake! When I say that I’m awake I’m not talking about THE spiritual awakening. I’m talking about a state of consciousness that is not asleep, but is truly alive, clear, powerful, and naturally courageous. I know I can do whatever God asks me to do.
This practice, applied to all activities and projects, can become a way of life where one can become a powerhouse for God.
If you live in the Central Coast area of California, “Awake” will be shown at the Edwards Cinema 10 Theater in Santa Maria on Tuesday, November 11th at 7:30pm. Tickets will not be sold atthe theater and must be reserved online here. Tickets are $11.00 each. For more information, contact Sarah at: [email protected].
Click here for information on other screenings around the country.
